Family-Based Green Card Attorneys in Johnston, SC
A Family Preference Green Card for authorizes specified family members of current U.S. citizens and permanent residents to be granted permanent residence in Johnston, SC and the rest of the U.S. For those who are U.S. citizens, relatives eligible to come to the U.S. with this type of green card include minor and adult children, spouses and siblings (if the citizen is 21 years or older). For lawful permanent residents, eligible family members for this type of green card include spouses, unmarried children under 21, and unmarried children over 21.
Family preference permanent resident cards do not have the same process as green cards meant for immediate family, which are meant for parents, spouses, and minor children of U.S. citizens. A family green card attorney in Johnston, SC can help your family decide the right green card category to pursue, helping your family to reconnect and build or expand your life in the U.S. together.
Family-Based Green Cards: How Do They Work in Johnston, SC?
To begin, the Johnston, SC family member who is a lawful permanent resident or a U.S. citizen files Form I-130, called a Petition for Alien Relative. This form verifies the familial connection needed for sponsorship. Next, after USCIS approves the petition, the family member who lives abroad must wait for visas to become accessible dependent on the date of submission and the current visa limits imposed by law. If the relative is legally in the U.S. already, they can request a status adjustment through forms that include the I-485.
Each eligible type of relative falls into a category of preference, all of which have annual limits. First Preference, or F1, for example is assigned to U.S. citizens’ children who are older than 21 and unmarried. F1 is allocated 23,400 of 226,000 available yearly family preference green cards. Often, Johnston, SC applicants have to wait for years or in many instances, decades for family preference green cards to open up.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Family-Based Immigration Lawyer in Johnston, SC?
Navigating the immigration procedures takes time and substantial work and legal understanding. USCIS does not publish wait times for adjudication of family-based petitions, which can change considerably based on where you're immigrating from and your designated preference category. With that being said, there are reports of more than fifteen-year waits for F4, or sibling, visas. If you're facing the potential of such a long wait, it's necessary to file as early as is feasible and with the utmost accuracy. Your Johnston, SC family immigration lawyer can assist with all the required paperwork and ensure everything is properly filed for the correct visa.
An immigration attorney in Johnston, SC can help you understand the regulations and laws that change regularly and comprehend intricate documentation. They know the application’s schedules and can help your family get ready for eventual visa interviews. When you have a strong legal team working with you and your family, you may be able to get the visa much quicker, enjoy a more streamlined process, and increase your probability of a positive result.
Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Johnston, SC: Your Family Immigration Attorney
If you or a family member plans to apply for a family preference green card, turn to Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Johnston, SC. Our founder personally immigrated to the United States, and our team includes many individuals who are immigrants or have close family who are immigrants. Our multicultural, multilingual attorneys can guide your family through the immigration procedures as we offer some of the industry’s highest success rates.* We’re here to help with your and your family member's immigration needs. Get started with a free case evaluation today.
*Disclaimer: Prior results do not guarantee a similar result.